Letter: Keep the ACA

Published: 08-27-2024 1:52 PM

People complain about the Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare, and how expensive it is.  Various health insurance options existed prior to the ACA.  Those plans were expensive, had limited availability, and limited coverage. Those plans still existed once the ACA was implemented. The ACA did not replace those plans. 

The ACA provided coverage for 20 million Americans, coverage that they might not be able to obtain otherwise. So, in other words, repealing the ACA, as former President Donald Trump wanted to do, would not have made anything better for anyone. That action would not bring back any better plans, or cheaper plans, because whatever existed prior to the ACA still existed once the ACA was brought about. 

There’s nothing to lose by keeping the ACA, but plenty to lose by repealing it. The only reason Trump wanted to repeal the ACA was to get better support from his followers. It’s too bad that voters want to repeal it because they’re just hurting themselves. It’s also worth noting that probably a lot of his supporters benefit from the ACA. “A record high number of people have enrolled in affordable health coverage plans since January 2021” (according to Heather Cox Richardson).

I think it’s important to realize that probably a lot of Trump’s supporters would tend to suffer under his administration, so voting for Trump is voting against their own self interest. 

Donald Selby

Peterborough